J2G @ Zion Continues! 2014 Highlights Part 2

During the fall of 2013, the J2G small groups discussed Unbinding Your Heart by Martha Grace Reese, shared faith stories, and dedicated 40 days to group and individual prayer and spiritual growth practices. Testimonies given during worship services and the celebration event in November proved that participants experienced deeper relationships with Christ and with one another.  The whole process has been  under girded with prayer by a Prayer Team that met weekly in 2013 and continues to meet monthly.

The enthusiasm for J2G@Zion continues as new small groups are being formed in February 2014.  The J2G Leadership Team has announced a variety of opportunities for small group learning and spiritual growth.  A couple of these "Growth Groups" began meeting the week of February 9 and the rest will begin the week of February 16.  Growth Group topics include:  Unbinding Your Soul, the next book in the Unbinding Series by Martha Grace Reese; "Journey with Matthew", a bible study; "Journey to 'Luke'", a conversation on passages from the Gospel; and "Tempted", a group for young adults.  Please see the Zion website for a schedule of and to sign up for these 6-week Growth Groups.  It's not too late to join in the Journey to Growth at Zion!

J2G @ Zion Continues! 2014 Highlights Part 1

If something is not growing, it's dying.  At Zion, we're in the process of growing- spiritually and physically.  Some thought that J2G @ Zion was over last November.  No, my friends!  That was merely the first leg of many in our journey together.

So what's going on now?  Ministries and leadership of Zion have made the commitment to GROW!  This and the following posts provide some highlights.  Come and grow with us!

Zion Nursery School:  Due to low enrollment in 2013, our little school was forced to cut back on staff and number of classes each week.  For 2013-14, one small class of 4-year-olds has been meeting on Monday-Wednesday-Friday each week, taught by Alice Carr and Dianne Moore.

 Just before registration opened for the 2014-15 school year in January, the Nursery School Board and Congregation Council agreed to a two-year commitment with emphasis on the marketing and redevelopment of the school.  The board is looking into getting help from a local university marketing department to develop a plan.

 Already, we are trying new things to get the word out about our wonderful school.  For the first time, special ads can be heard on a local radio station.   Listen for spots on WROZ Radio "The Rose" 101.3 during the next week announcing the ZNS Open House on Feb. 19, 12-3 pm.  Check out the new Zion Nursery School Facebook Page and the updated information on our website.

 Our goals are to have a minimum of 12 students enrolled for the 2-day class for 3's and 4's by  summer and to have both classes reinstated by the fall of 2015.  Annual fundraisers through Giant+ Rewards (ongoing),  Cloister car wash coupons (February) and S. Clyde Weaver sub coupons (March) are some ways that you can help our school continue to provide excellent, Christ-centered, academically grounded preschool education for children of our community. Call the church office (898-2911) for more information.   Please spread the word about Zion Nursery School.

Journey to Growth at Zion (J2G@Zion)

The Spirit is moving at Zion!  Since the beginning of October, our congregational life and worship have focused on prayer and faith sharing.  We’re on a “Journey to Growth” at Zion, and many have already noticed changes that God is making in our faith lives as individuals and in our ministries as a congregation. 

Eight small groups, including ZYM (Zion Youth Ministry) and the ministry staff, have been meeting weekly to discuss the book, Unbinding Your Heart by Martha Grace Reese.  With the small group “guides” included, between 60 and 70 youth and adults are gathering to share faith stories and prayer for six weeks.   In addition to their time together, these individuals are participating in a 40-Day Prayer Journey involving daily prayer exercises for spiritual growth. 

Each Sunday, worshippers are included in the journey through a sermon series and children’s chats that highlight themes of prayer and evangelism.  In Sunday School, children are involved in special activities that teach ways to talk to God in prayer.  They have been given special tools to help them pray such as:  mealtime or bedtime prayer cubes, pray beads, and printed resources with simple prayer examples and practices to use at home.  A resource booklet for families was distributed at the beginning of October, and more copies of this resource and others are available on the “J2G@Zion” Table in the narthex by the mailboxes.

Prayer surrounds and undergirds everything at Zion during our journey. Each week, children, youth and adults are welcome to write prayers on “sticky notes” and place them on the Prayer Walls in the church education wing.  Also, individual prayer requests are welcomed by our J2G@Zion Prayer Team which meets weekly.  Forms for these requests are available on the table outside the Nave (worship area) near the “Prayer Request Box”, where they may be deposited.  Even our homebound members are involved!  Several of our “elders” are including special prayers for J2G@ Zion, our members and our congregation each day. 

A few highlights of the past weeks of J2G@Zion:

Pastor JMe used a garden hose as an analogy for how our relationships with God and our sisters and brothers at Zion through prayer and faith-sharing connects us to the flowing, living waters  of the Holy Spirit given through Baptism and fill us to overflowing with the desire to share our lives and faith with others.  Thankfully, she didn’t have the hose connected to a water source, or we would have really been “walking wet.”

Every pew was emptied for the Prayers of the Church during the 10:30 service on Oct. 20 when all went “down to the river to pray” by gathering around the altar rail.

Before beginning the October meeting of the Congregation Planning Council, the group of leaders spent 20 minutes in prayer for one another and the church.  It was powerful!  Shall we try 30 minutes the next time?

Prayer Walls in the education wing hallways are filling up with sticky note prayers written by members of all ages.

Shy Lutheran Christians are actually sharing faith stories with and praying out loud for one another!  Many had never done this before. Now they are doing this every week!

Stay tuned for more highlights and stories of the power of prayer and growing together in Christ during the next portion of this leg of our Journey to Growth at Zion.  Better yet, come and grow with us!

 

Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly

Here we are at the LSS Assembly at Messiah College. The first (and nominating) ballot  for election of a bishop was announced this morning.  Guess what?  Former Zion pastor, LaDonna Thomas, received a nomination!  We've completed the first ballot for elections of synod leadership (Synod Council, synod committees, boards of related institutions) including the election of Synod Treasurer.  Synod Vice President, Lucinda Bringman,  brought the report of the  Year of Re-Formation of the synod.  Now, to the budget.  Passed with no discussion!  Of course there have been cuts to budget lines and to the staff of the synod during this year.  As a congregation of the LSS and, therefore, of the ELCA, Zion has been dedicated to providing support to the greater church ministries through our benevolence.  

BISHOP’S EASTER MESSAGE, 2013

Dear Co-laborers with Christ,
As I write this message on Monday in Holy Week, snow is falling outside my study window. This year, the turn of the season seems characterized primarily by winter’s refusal to let go. Although the lower Susquehanna Valley has repeatedly dodged the most severe snowstorms this year, there is still the longing on the part of many for spring to come. Punxsutawney Phil’s empty promise of an early spring seems a betrayal now, and for all the ambiguous predictions of the wooly bears and the Farmer’s Almanac, we are reminded that the weather will do what it will do, and there’s no doing anything about it.

The need to control, or at least predict, the future seems to be a part of human nature. Exponential expansion of technology contributes to this view of human power, increasingly making us lords over our environment. And indeed, we have accomplished much for the sake of the common good. As the future broke over the last generation, our quality of life became better and better, in ways previously unimaginable. But for all our ingenuity, there are areas of life that seem beyond our control: the weather, to be sure, but also human cruelty and death. We kill one another at an alarming rate, with firearms, to be sure, but finally any way we can. And, if we survive one another, the curtain of mortality finally closes on our little lives. It is a reality we cannot control. We are all terminal cases.

We were reminded of this at the beginning of Lent when oily ashes were smeared on our foreheads and we heard the jarring words, remember you are dust; to dust you will return. And if that stark declaration was somehow lost over the forty days, the cruelty of crucifixion hammers it home. Good Friday closed with a darkness more impenetrable than Tenebrae. We not only kill one another, we will kill God, if we can. As Saturday dawned with the bleakness of a winter that will not let go, it seemed as though we had.
Hopelessness, helplessness brought women to a tomb then, to complete an unfinished ritual. In that futile helplessness, hope was born. The distant triumph song sung by the prophets now became a symphony of promises fulfilled. The paths of glory lead beyond the grave.

This too is entirely beyond our control. This is a future that we can predict, if we trust in God’s promises, but we cannot bring about. God acts to bring new and eternal life into our future by conquering death in a way beyond our ability to act in our own behalf. Because of God’s powerful act, we can imagine and the world in a different way, not a theatre for the drama of cruel sin, but the playing field of God’s grace. Our struggle for human justice can become the in-breaking light of the resurrection promise, for it is finally God’s will that oppressors be overthrown and tyrants cast down; that the poor be given hope and the hungry fed. Our gifts, prayers, concerns, politics, all become windows to the resurrection light. Because the future does belong to God, we can live lives more open to new possibilities of forgiveness and reconciliation. The wounds of a broken heart can be healed, estranged families reconciled. Bitterness and betrayal, guilt and self-loathing are laid at the door of the empty tomb.

When we lay aside our need for control, we can see our lives in the context of God’s grace and suddenly the world is filled with hope. Each new day is an opportunity for God’s will to be done. In the light of Easter, God repairs God’s creation and gives us a second chance. And the winter of our discontent is made glorious summer by the Son of God.

May God’s blessings of lustrous hope rest with you this Easter and always.
Faithfully, your bishop,
+B. Penrose Hoover

No More Worship Wars!

"O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!  For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!"  Psalm 95:6-7 (NRSV)

When I opened my email inbox one day this week, I found two messages relating to the ongoing concerns and dissatisfaction about worship styles (Traditional VS Contemporary) and contents (hymns, liturgical choices, etc.).  The following is a portion of a carefully composed response to one of these messages. 

An overarching goal for my ministry is to lead Zion towards becoming and remaining a healthy congregation.  The "worship war" that seems to have embroiled this congregation for many years is truly unhealthy and not conducive to future growth and mission.  Isn't it time we pursue peace by acknowledging our unity in the midst of our diversity as a congregation?  Our Lutheran understanding of the Gospel is clear:  We are justified (saved) by grace through faith in Jesus Christ- apart from works of the law. (See Romans 3)   This Word of grace is what unities us.  Our worship- whatever form it takes--is a faith-full response to this word and the call to be witnesses to the Gospel.

 As both Dennis and I have said in our team meetings, we take a lot of time and care in choosing appropriate hymns/songs for worship at Zion.  Both of us strive  to enhance and support the scriptural focus of the day through the words of the music and other portions of the worship services.  To be sure, there are some hymns/songs we like better than others, but our personal preferences are secondary to the Word for the day. We are, also, both committed to providing meaningful, "relevant", and spiritually-empoweriing worship experiences for Zion- whether they be in traditional or contemporary format.  We have been willing to add time to our schedules for additional meetings  in order to listen and respond to the concerns, desires, and suggestions of those who attend each of the Sunday worship services.

For Lutherans, God's living word, found in the Holy Scriptures and made known through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is central to everything we do in worship, whether the style is "traditional" or "contemporary".  The scriptural foundation or bible passages to be focused upon (appointed lectionary, narrative lectionary or special theme) should form the basis of whatever we do in our worship- the music, the message, the prayers, etc.  We draw our understanding of God and what God desires of us from God's Word made known to us in Jesus Christ, and one aspect of our response is our worship.  Thus, the choice of praise songs, hymns, responsive prayers are in response to the scriptural message.  Not the other way around. 

It's true that in many contemporary worship settings (i.e., evangelical or nondenominational churches), the music IS the message for the day.  Like in Lutheran worship, the words of the songs and responses are chosen to fit the stated theme for the worship experience.  What is different in these settings is that usually this theme is decided first and then the scriptural underpinnings are chosen to fit the theme.   The positive side of this way of building a worship service is that the designers have the freedom to choose whatever theme or message they think is relevant to the needs of community and then find the scriptures to support this message/theme.  The negative side of this is that the foundation of worship is based first on what the leadership wants to say or thinks is important to get across to the listeners and not on interpretation of what God has to say through the scriptures.  

As you know, there are many scripture passages that can be taken out of context to support  viewpoints that are considered un-Christian today, (i.e., slavery, genocide) or that support the various sides of political and social debates. This process of biblical interpretation is known as  eisegesis, or: "an interpretation, especially of Scripture, that expresses the interpreter's own ideas, bias, or the like,rather than the meaning of the text." (Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013. )

As a Lutheran pastor, I find it much more difficult and challenging to start with the scripture appointed or chosen for the day and prayerfully determine through exegesis ("critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text, especially of the Bible" Dictionary.com Unabridged  Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013. ) what message God has for us today.  Do my personal opinions and biases influence what I say?  Of course they do because I am merely a sinful, selfish human being.  However, I try very hard to set aside my own "stuff" and focus on what I hear God saying trusting in the Lord's forgiveness when I fail. 

I do appreciate the concern that we are clear about our purpose and goal for worship.  I do hear and understand the desire for us to be honest about our commitment to how we reach out through the styles of worship or liturgy we choose to use.  I am thrilled with what both the Traditional and  the Contemporary task forces are doing to enhance our worship life at Zion.  I'm excited about the plans that are being made for the 10:30 service on Easter Sunday.

I am saddened, however, that we continue to spend so much of our ministry time and energy arguing and complaining about "styles" of worship and music and so little focus on the One whom we worship, the attitudes that we bring to our worship  and the witness that we are called to bring about this One, Jesus Christ, to those who are more interested in hearing a message to help them to get through the next day than they are about the type of songs we sing on Sunday mornings.  

Please, let's be less adversarial and strive to lift up the unity we share in the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  As Paul wrote, we are all one in the body of Christ.  As we move into the season of Lent, let us all pray for forgiveness for our lack of tolerance and understanding for each other.  Let us ask that God help us to focus on the purpose of our worship and not on our personal preferences for music and styles. Let us pray that our worship services, although different in style, can become a unified expression of our gratitude for what God has given us as individuals and as a community of faith instead of a means of dividing us. 

To Christ alone be the glory!

Pastor JMe

Jesus' Birthday Wish List

I really appreciated Kevin Alton's article on "Ministry Matters."  Perhaps it will be a thought-provoker for you.  Click on the link to read it.

Ministry Matters™ | Articles | Jesus' Birthday Wish List

An article that I wish I had written

http://draughtingtheology.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/why-im-grieving-election-day/

It's Okay to be Different

The devotional below was included in a blog article of "In the Meantime" by David Lose.  I receive Dr. Lose's weekly blog posts by email.  As one who has always struggled with the consequences of being "different,"  this was a wonderful reminder that being different is okay.  Thought I'd share this ray of light with you.

Philippians 2:14-16

Posted: 02 Nov 2012 04:13 AM PDT

Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
It’s okay to be different.
That’s a message we’ve tried to share with our kids. It’s okay to be different when you believe different is the right thing to be. That’s not always an easy thing to hold on to when your peers are doing something you don’t really want to do. The pressure to fit in, to be accepted, can be so strong.
And this isn’t just my kids, or yours, or restricted to adolescence at all. It’s a struggle for adults – for us – too. Which is why Paul writes the Philippians and encourages them to be different. Don’t murmur; don’t argue; get along; care for each other; hold on to each other. Be different.
We call this kind of encouragement “exhortation,” and by that we usually mean urging someone to do what is right. But it’s more than just a morality thing; it’s also an identity thing.
Keep in mind what Paul has just been talking about. He’s urged the Philippians to adopt the mindset, attitude, and stance of Jesus, the one who gave up all for the sake of love, love for us. More than that, Paul’s urged them to accept God’s invitation be loved, renewed, and transformed. And now he’s encouraging them to remember who they are – not children of the world, with no hope but to run after acceptance by fitting in, by doing whatever everyone else is doing simply because everyone else is doing it.
Rather, they are children of God. And so he invites them to be different because they are different – adopted and blessed by God and intended to shine like stars by their willingness to share love when the world says hold back, to work for peace when the world urges war, and to seek reconciliation when the world wants to divide everyone into sides.
Be different because you are different. Be different because you are God’s beloved children. Be different to make me, Paul, proud. Be different because you might inspire others to be different too. Be different, finally, because you can.
The funny thing is, of course, that when my kids, or you and me, or the Philippians dare to be different, we discover that different is often just what the world needs.
Prayer: Dear God, remind us of who we are – your beloved and oh so different children, created in your image and destined to shine like stars as we share your love for the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Clergy Appreciation Month Thank You

“We believe that the concept of clergy appreciation started with the Apostle Paul as he was establishing the first Christian churches. In 1 Timothy, he wrote, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" (1 Tim. 5:17). And, in 1 Thessalonians, he said, "Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work" (1 Thess. 5:12-13).”

(from http://www.thrivingpastor.org/cam/a000001811.cfm)

Thank you for making the month of October very special! I certainly feel appreciated as your pastor.  The delicious red velvet cake on Oct. 7, the lovely peace lily plant by the altar in the middle of the month, and the box full of cards, notes, drawings and gift cards on Oct. 28 were all very kind and thoughtful surprises.  I was humbled by these gestures from this wonderful congregation knowing that there are many pastors whose congregations do little or nothing to show appreciation for their ministry.  I feel very blessed to be pastor of Zion.

Being the inquisitive person I am, I thought I’d find out just where the idea of “Clergy Appreciation Month” came from.  The quote above is from the Thriving Pastor website was included in an article about the designation of October as a month to show appreciation for the work of ordained parish pastors and ministry staff.  I learned that, beginning in 1994, Focus on The Family ministries was involved in organizing and promoting what is now known as “Clergy Appreciation Month.”  The website even includes a 14-page manual to assist congregations in planning clergy and ministry staff appreciation events.   Of course, the article emphasizes the scriptural foundation of showing appreciation for ministry leaders throughout the year.

Members of Zion congregation have certainly modeled what Paul wrote- not only during the past month but also throughout the months I have been serving here.  Even when there have been differences of opinion or vision for the congregation between members and myself, there has been a sense of respect for each other and for the partnership we share in Christ’s ministry.  Oh, there have been challenging times, of course, but in the midst of these times, there also have been words, notes and actions of care and appreciation.  Many cards and notes I have received are kept in my “smile file” in case I need a quick “pick up” when ministry challenges overwhelm me. 

To repeat what I said to the worshiping community on Sunday, Oct. 28: “I appreciate you!”   Zion is an exciting and wonderful congregation to serve as pastor.  We have a lot of work to do together, with God’s help, in order to grow our ministries to meet the needs of our community.  I am convinced that the Spirit is leading us to be “the church that feeds the community” through worship, faith formation, and service in Jesus’ name.   I feel honored to have been called to share in Christ’s ministry with you!

We Are What We Eat?

From the Pastor’s Keyboard:  We are what we eat?

Some time ago, a friend’s son told us that his father and he were researching the effects of violence-themed media and video games on the attitudes and actions of those who are exposed to them on a regular basis.  This research was in response to the teen’s desire to buy a particularly violent video game to play with his friends. 

Violence in media, gaming and music as encouragement for violent actions in society has been a topic of discussion and research for many years.  Concern grows whenever there are incidents like the shootings at Columbine, Colorado in 1999, the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, the 2011 Norway bombing in Oslo and subsequent massacre of 85 children attending an island summer camp, or the more recent midnight military-style attack on movie-goers in an Aurora, Colorado in which the gunman killed 12 and injured at least 50.

Sissela Bok’s recent book, Mayhem: Violence As Public Entertainment takes on this issue. Focusing on violent media and its effect on the American national character, she admits that obtaining a clear answer is a vexing problem.  However, she:

 “…reassures the public that the amount of violence portrayed in mass media affects its audience in different ways, representing only one factor that contributes to violence in society at large.” 

(from http://www.florin.com/authors/bok-mayhem.html)

On one hand, what Bok concludes is quite true.  There are always a variety of factors that affect the actions or decisions of humans:  family relationships, self-esteem, religious indoctrination, personal experience with violence or violent acts such as abuse or bullying, psychological health, etc.  This was certainly true for the Columbine duo that attacked their school mates.  The VA Tech gunman certainly had psychological problems.  The shootings In Norway and in the recent incident at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin  were attributed to the extremist views of the gunmen.

On the other hand, it’s difficult not to consider  how the violence we see, hear, read about, or participate in daily through news media, radio and TV talk shows,  movies, popular music, books and gaming affects our thoughts and actions in other areas of our lives.  We’re inundated with it.  We consume it.  We support it by buying the video games, by purchasing the action figures for our children, and by making movies like Dark Knight Rises mega hits. 

During the summer months, word and worship focused on Jesus as the “Bread of Life.”  In John 6:56, Jesus says, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them….so whoever eats me will live because of me.”  Jesus calls those who believe to concentrate their whole lives on him, on his word of love and forgiveness, on his call to service on behalf of others and on his gifts of life and salvation given through the sharing of the sacraments with the community of faith.

What is the source of your daily nourishment?   If your diet has become slanted toward the worldly emphasis on violence, you may be in danger of the effects of spiritual malnourishment.  Join your sisters and brothers at Zion each week as we gather to receive the heavenly food that only Jesus can provide.  Jesus invites you to come and be with him, to consume his love and grace through hearing and studying his word, and to be nourished by his life of peace and blessing through worship.  As the old saying goes, “You are what you eat.”   Come to the feast!

DID YOU KNOW?  

According to the Huffington Post online edition for August 12, “Hundreds of people who gathered at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee spoke of unity, strength and rebirth during the first Sunday service there since a gunman killed six people before fatally shooting himself.”  The shooting occurred on August 5. 

 Sikhism is a relatively new religion that is derived from the teachings of The Ten Gurus whose teachings and writings began in the 1600’s.  It has no relationship with Islam. 

This is a monotheistic faith “…preaching the existence of only one God, and teaching ideals that may be universally accepted today and in the future: honesty, compassion, humility, piety, social commitment, and most of all tolerance for other religions.” 

(from http://www.searchsikhism.com/sikhism.html

Sky VBS 2012

"Everything is possible with God!" Here are some pictures of the fun and learning experienced at Zion VBS this year. Just click the link to view them!

NOLA!

Enjoy pictures of Zion youth and adults at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering "Citizens with the Saints" in New Orleans, LA, July 18-22

Photo Memories of Community

Photo Memories of Service

Photo Memories of 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering- Citizens with the Saints

Worship

Day 4: Practicing Peacemaking

The day began with sunshine and clear skies. Kayla, Sarah, Bob and Pastor enjoyed breakfast at Ruby Slippers Cafe, the rest enjoyed a little extra shut eye. We met up at the hotel for our walk to the Convention Center for our morning of practicing peacemaking.

First, we worshipped together with those assigned to this peacemaking day. We began with praise songs. In an interval between the songs, as music continued, the worship leader said, "This is traditional Lutheran worship." When the response was laughter, he continued by saying that Lutheran worship is marked by tradition, even if you call the first songs "praise songs", what we sang was the opening hymn. He continued with a description of what we would do: remembrance of baptism, confession and absolution, word, sermon, closing hymn.

This was no different from the structure of traditional worship. Yet it was different! It was full of energy and motion. The words were familiar, but, somehow, the way they were interspersed with music made them more meaningful.

From worship, we moved to the interactive center where there were a variety of activities designed to increase awareness of global issues and provide ways to respond.

Later, we went out into the city to explore, buy souvenirs, try some traditional cuisine (jambalaya, gumbo,
alligator and crawfish) and experience a little of the atmosphere of Bourbon Street.

Then we walked back to the "Luther Dome" for our last evening of music, dancing, stories of faith and encouragement. It was hard to imagine that after tonight we would no longer be with our 33,309 sisters and brothers. We've met so many wonderful people.

The evening began with the "biggest dance party of Lutheran youth ever held in the Dome." During the event, a series of dance moves was taught each night. What and amazing thing it was to see all the crowd dancing together!

Speakers once again brought messages of encouragement and inspiration. Tony Acompanado told us about the importance and risk of speaking the truth about injustice, intolerance, and bullying.

Pastor Andrena Ingram told her story of abuse, addiction, and HIV infection. She shared how pastors of a Lutheran church showed her the amazing grace of God in Christ and acceptance for
who she was. She was encouraged to pursue a call to minister with persons
who are HIV+.

"Be the change you wish to be in the world." (Ghandi) This was the message for the youth throughout the event. Rachel Kurtz's song, "Make a Difference" was the theme song for the Gathering, and the program ended with everyone singing,

"I want my life to make a difference. I want my life to make a change. I want my life to do some good here. I want my life to make a change."

The last treat of the evening was a performance by the band Switchfoot. This popular band plays both Christian and pop music. When they were announced, the stadium erupted into cheering, and many of the youth joined in singing along with their songs.

Just before the concert ended, we left the stadium to walk back to the hotel to pack. At 10:30, we gathered in Cris and Pastor JMe's room for discussion of our experiences in New Orleans and "Candle Prayer." We had so many things to thank God for: new friends and reconnections with old ones, grace-filled messages by the speakers, the fun we had together, what we learned and experienced about the transforming power of Christ, and so much more. There were heartfelt prayers offered for the people of Aurora, Colorado, for safe travel, for the people of New Orleans who welcomed us to their city, for the security and police officers who put in overtime away from their families to keep us safe as we moved throughout the city, and for organization like St. Bernard that continue to help the people rebuild their lives and homes 8 years after Katrina.

ZYM life without Bob as the Guide and church "father" for the youth was also on the hearts and minds of all the youth in the candle prayer circle. We all gave thanks for the years that he has shared his gifts and caring with the youth and families of Zion. Prayers were lifted up for his new ministry of caring as an EMT. By the end of our prayer time, there were tears flowing.

Day 3: Practicing Discipleship

"Christ has destroyed the dividing wall."
Ephesians 2:14

Today, we came together with all the participants from the Lower Susquehanna synod for opening activities and worship. 900 of us poured into a convention room at the Hilton.

It didn't take long to notice that the room was divided by a huge wall of boxes. One half of the folks couldn't see the other.

The reason for the wall became apparent as the words of Ephesians 2:12-20 were read. Throughout the next two hours, we were surrounded by images and stories of Jesus' work to break down the barriers between people. As Pastor Dave Fisher preached, the wall dividing the room was taken down and formed into a huge cross in the midst of the crowd.

Here are some of Pastor Fisher's inspiring words:
"The blood of Christ shakes up and brings down empires." The blood of Christ was shed for the peace of the whole world! No group, religious group, nation or empire can claim this peace for itself alone. "We have Lamb Power!" We are called to embody vulnerable yet strong love. We have as our Lord the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Holy Communion was shared and we exchanged blessings with one another marking the cross of Christ on our foreheads in remembrance of our Baptism.

After worship we were led in an interactive session about the Seven Faith Practices of the church: pray, study, encourage, worship, invite, serve, give. The youth were divided into groups of 10-12, each with one adult, and the remaining adults formed their own groups.

The session was interrupted by telephone emergency weather alerts and the announcement that due to heavy rains, some of the streets were flooding. City officials had ordered that Gathering folk remain inside until they were given permission to leave. That's the second time that the event has been affected by a rain delay!

Afternoon activities were cancelled due to the weather. The only alternative was to spend the time in the River Walk mall where we competed with all the other participants to get something to eat in the food court. Long lines with 30-45 minute waiting times were the norm. Regardless, we managed to get some sustenance even if it meant eating dessert first because the lines at the chocolate shop were short.

The rain continued to come down in a torrent, but we finally decided to brave the walk to the hotel. Donning ponchos purchased in the mall, we braved the rain and deep puddles arriving back at the Doubletree soaking wet- again.

Thankfully, the rain stopped long enough for us to return to what has now been dubbed "The Luther Dome." for the evening program. Only Sarah Thompson and Pastor JMe were willing to go early enough to get seats on the floor of the stadium. The rest followed later finding seats on the second level with a great view of the stage.

"You'd have to have been there." It's impossible to describe the amazing night we had in the Luther Dome! Before the regular program, Pastor JMe and Sarah enjoyed a pre-event concert by Lost and Found and learned hip hop moves. Streams of youth dancing in "Conga" lines snaked all throughout the floor area. The energy was incredible!

The program began with a light and sound show followed by songs by the stage band that kept us on our feet. Before introducing the theme of peacemaking, the emcees led us in a prayer for the victims of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado. This tragedy has been on our hearts and minds throughout the day.

As on previous nights, the speakers' messages were powerful.

Diane Latiker of Chicago told of her ministry with gang members. She began in 2003 with10 kids in her living room, and now her program, Kids Off The Block, has served over 1500 since it began. In 2011, she was recognized as a Top Ten CNN Hero.

Jamie Nabozny encouraged us to speak and act against bullying. As a teenager, Jamie was beaten severely because he is gay. He received no help from the authorities of his high school, even after a beating sent him to the hospital with a ruptured spleen and other internal injuries. He later won a landmark case against his school that established the rights of all students to be safe in school.

The highlight of the evening was a presentation by Leymah Gbowee. Ms. Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist who was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her organization of Christian and Muslim women in a nonviolent movement pivotal in ending Liberia's civil war in 2003. She told the youth that the gifts they bring to the world are hope for change. At the end of her message, she encouraged the crowd to hold up the lights of their cell phone. With the stadium lights dimmed, the huge space seemed ablaze with light. She commented that when the youth present share their light of faith in Jesus in the world, the world will become as beautiful as the view inside the dome.

WOW!

Day 2:

Day 2: Practicing Justice: out on the town.

"The bible doesn't say, 'God bless America., The bible says 'for God so loves the world'."

These were words spoken at the end of the day- a day of learning about and practicing justice. "We don't work to win salvation. We work because we are saved," the speaker, Shane Claiborne of Philadelphia, said.

After an early breakfast of beignets (traditional French doughnuts or, as Cris Burfete calls them, "funnel cake on steroids"), we went back to the hotel to prepare for our work project. Work gloves and goggles in our backpacks, we arrived at the Dome along with at least 3000 others. We were the last of three groups to go out into the community today. As we arrived at the Dome, there were lines & lines of buses waiting to transport the group before us. Groups of gathering folks are doing various service projects all over the city.

Before getting on our buses, our group met in a conference room for presentations (live and video) on the impact of previous Gathering projects in NOLA. A live band led singing, and we blessed one another's hands and feet for service. Then, we picked up lunches that were packed for us and headed to our buses.

Emily was our guide and Jack was our driver. As we ate our lunches, Emily told us what we'd be doing. Our community partner was the St. Bernard Project located in the western area of the city where Katrina destroyed most of the homes. Even now, 8 years later, there are many abandoned houses and empty lots. Our task was to clear several of those vacant lots in order to make the neighborhood safer and look better for the residents.

For several hours we chopped down high weeds, pulled up kudzu and poison ivy, and removed weeds and grass that covered the sidewalk in front of the lot. We battled yellow jackets, fire ants ("come on, Kayla. Do the ant dance!"), lizards and beetles, but we managed to whack most of the weeds down and bag them up. When we finished, there was a cleared sidewalk, too. Several of our Zion group worked on a team that put the final touches on a lot that had been cleared previously by pulling vines off a fence, edging and mowing.

Neighbors came out to thank us for our work. One man who lived near by told Pastor JMe that he really appreciated what we were doing. "It's a beautiful thing," he said. When told who we were, he said he knew about us because he remembered when people came came to his neighborhood before to work.

We were tired and dirty when we finished, but we felt really good that we made a difference for that neighborhood.

After showers back at the hotel and a quick take-out dinner, we made our way back to the Dome for the evening gathering. There seemed to be more people there than the night before! The result of our late arrival was seating in the "nose bleed section."

As on Wednesday, the speakers we heard were amazing. The emphases were Global Mission and bullying of those who are "different". We were on time to hear Valerie Rivas, who served as a Young Adult in Global Mission in South Africa, and Meghan Stubbs, whose parents serve as missionaries in Tanzania.

Pastor JMe knew Meghan and her family from her time in Africa. She was so excited to see Meghan that she called the ELCA Gathering Help Line to find out if there was a way to contact her.

Although last night's post evening gathering activities were cancelled due to the storm, tonight, there were concerts, dances, and other activities to choose from. Part of our group enjoyed one of the dance venues. The remainder decided to return to the hotel. It was a long, tiring, yet purposeful day!

Day 1: Dinner at Bubba Gump's & Super Dome Extravaganza

Alec Martin was Gump Trivia champion during our dinner at Bubba Gump's. Do you know what sports Forrest Gump played?

A long walk to the Super Dome followed. But most of us had no idea what we would encounter there. The stage band welcomed us with great music that kept us on our feet. Band members were from various, known Christian Rock groups. Tyler turned to PJ and asked, "can we get these songs for church?"

Close to 35,000 Lutheran youth and adults almost filled the Dome. "The Wave" circled the area repeatedly. Lights flashed in the crowd, on screens, and around the walls. All these young people, and we're all praising Jesus!

Inspiring speakers included ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson ("Are you ready to be surprised by Jesus?"); Pastor Yahirl Curry ("Gumbo is welcome food. we area great big bowl of gumbo. No matter who you are or where you come from, you are welcome here!"); and Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, aka "the sarcastic pastor" ("Nobody believes that I am an ordained Lutheran pastor. there are some who think someone like me shouldn't be speaking to you. I have a few tattoos and I swear like a truck driver.") Even SIRI made an appearance! Try asking her about "ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson."

Emcees were Josiah Williams, a young leader in ELCA-LYO and hip hop artist and Kaelie Lund, another LYO leader who is newly graduated from high school.

When asked what the highlight of their day had been to that point. Pastor Nadia's presentation was the top choice. "She was amazing!" said Duncan Brady. For Alec, the priest with the tattoos was his choice: "her rough life and how she thought she would be dead by the rime she was 30 and she overcame everything and now is a successful woman... That was pretty inspirational." Kayla Gromen and Andrew Sherwood agreed that it was amazing to be with so many other young people from all over the US, "Even Alaska!"

Many of us have experienced rain delays when attending events. Last night, after our emcees had said good night, an announcement was made that , due to a severe thunderstorm, our departure from the dome would be delayed. We hung out for over an hour waiting for the storm to abate. While waiting, Bob led our "Last 15" and devotional time in the midst of the awaiting crowd.

When we finally made our way out of the Dome, it was still pouring rain and lightning was still flashing. It was a very wet, mile-long walk back to the hotel! yet there were no complaints after the awesome evening we had with the saints.